Food

Food is one of the most basic resources that humans need for daily
survival. Forty percent of the world’s population gains a
livelihood from agriculture and we all consume food. Yet control
over this fundamental resource is concentrated in relatively few
hands. The 2008 food price crisis illustrated both the volatility
and vulnerability built into the current global food system; at the
height of the crisis, the number of hungry people on the planet
climbed to over 1 billion. At the same time, there are serious
ecological consequences that stem from an increasingly industrial
model of agriculture that has spread worldwide.

This book aims to contribute to a fuller understanding of the
forces that influence and shape the current global food system.
Author Jennifer Clapp explores how corporate control, inequitable
international agricultural trade rules, and the financialization of
farm commodities have each had a fundamental influence on the
practices that dominate today’s global food system. By
contrast, farmers and consumers, particularly in the developing
world, have had little voice to change the rules of the game. But
movements are emerging to challenge the dominant global system. The
extent to which these alternative movements can displace it,
however, remains to be seen.

Jennifer Clapp is professor and CIGI Chair in global environmental governance in the Department of Environment and Resource Studies and the Balsillie School of International Affairs at the University of Waterloo.

"In this admirably clear exposition Clapp explains the increasing
'financialisation' of and speculation in food commodities. Will
sub-prime eaters be blamed for some future market crash? It makes
you think twice about a second breakfast."The Guardian

"Clapp explains in a clear and concise way that food is
not only a simple source of nourishment, but it also
represents a political issue that connects us all. Definitely
a good guide for anyone who is trying to orientate themselves
in the economic global jumble."Global Journal

"In an increasingly complex argument that Clapp does well
to unmuddy, she shows how the development of the world food economy
is not the full picture - hers is a story that needs to be
heard."Irish Examiner

"Clapp does a fantastic job in opening up a space herself
to act upon global injustices in the world food economy by
shortening the mental distance that exists between us, food
consumers, and the social, economic and ecological relationships
associated with the food we eat."Global PolicyJournal

"An outstanding and accessible book for courses in food
politics, globalization, economics, or international
relations."Agriculture and Human Values

"Clapp draws from her vast knowledge of economics, politics, and
the environment to write insightfully about the events that
contributed to the development of the world food economy."Cuizine: The Journal of Canadian Food Cultures

"Clapp's work provides a concise, accessible analysis of the
complex system that surrounds one of the most basic of necessities
yet offers sufficient depth to actas an introductory text for those
who wish to further understandthe food system."Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable
Development

"Clapp's concise, accessible prose, and her deep engagement with
the subject matter should ensure that this book enjoys a readership
well beyond the academy."Organization and Environment

"An excellent diagnostic about the constitution, evolution and the
challenges of the global food system, making it indispensible for
development practitioners, policy makers, social movements,
academics interested in learning about the emerging field of food
studies, as well as all those who would like to understand (and
eventually transform) the distribution of power in the food
system."Journal of International Development

"The new must-read primer for those trying to make sense of
the suddenly turbulent world of drought and food shortages, price
spikes and financial crises, biofuels and commodity index funds,
food riots, and social unrest."
Review of Policy Research

"A relevant and current text that creates a great common
platform from which to jump to explore community governance of the
food system."Economic Geography

"A fascinating glimpse inside the food machine."Cost Sector Catering

"Covering the most salient features of the global food economy
in just a couple of hundred pages is a pretty daunting task, but it
is one which Jennifer Clapp manages to achieve ... A finely
detailed and well researched volume."Morning Star

"A sharp, concise and satisfyingly detailed field-guide to the
hegemons of the world food economy."Raj Patel, author of The Value of Nothing

"Jennifer Clapp explains what happens when food is no longer
considered a mere source of nourishment or cultural element but is
transformed into a fungible commodity. Clapp unpacks and clarifies
the mind-numbing complexities of transnational corporations,
international trade, and financial markets. Best of all, the book
provides precisely the information and tools advocates need to
redesign the global food economy to promote fair trade, food
justice, and food sovereignty."Marion Nestle, New York University

"This excellent book explains why food has become a hot
political issue on the global stage. The author clearly knows her
subject and offers an insightful, engaging, and highly accessible
introduction to the global food economy."Robert Falkner, London School of Economics and Political
Science

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